Max Verstappen continued his impressive form at the British Grand Prix practice sessions, setting the fastest time in FP2 at Silverstone. However, Ferrari showcased their potential to challenge the Red Bull dominance, with Carlos Sainz finishing just 0.022 seconds behind Verstappen.
Verstappen’s teammate, Alexander Albon, once again demonstrated his strong pace by securing the third-fastest time, trailing Verstappen by only two-tenths. The session faced a slight delay as the track required sweeping, but it was a more extended interruption for Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc due to an electrical issue in his SF-23 car.
Meanwhile, McLaren faced concerns with Lando Norris’ MCL60, as frantic work was conducted around the front area of the car. Despite the challenges, Verstappen maintained his position at the top, with Sainz in close pursuit.
During the session’s latter half, Leclerc’s Ferrari remained stationary, signaling the end of his session without completing a single lap. Lance Stroll of Aston Martin encountered a minor setback when a stone hit his finger, but he continued to complete his race simulation.
The session concluded with a simulated race run for most teams, with AlphaTauri’s Nyck de Vries suffering a puncture that brought him to a stop near the chequered flag. Fortunately, he managed to slow down and negotiate the corner safely.
Earlier in FP1, Verstappen had also topped the timings, displaying his early dominance over the weekend. However, the close gap between him and Sainz showcased Ferrari’s improved performance. Albon’s impressive showing continued, securing the third-fastest time once again.
As the British Grand Prix progresses, the battle for the top spot promises to be intense, with Verstappen aiming to maintain his advantage while Ferrari looks to challenge Red Bull’s supremacy. The remaining practice sessions and qualifying will provide further insights into the teams’ true potential for the race.
